Saturday, 19 March 2011

A 'Super moon' tonight will reach it's closest point to the Earth for almost 20 years.

Clear skies will reveal a 'Super Moon' phenomenon tonight as the moon reaches its closest point to the Earth for almost two decades. The moon will appear bigger and brighter than normal as it reaches the closest point to the Earth since 1992. It is the first time since 19 January 1992 that the moon has come into such close proximity to the Earth. This type of full moon tends to bring a range of higher and lower tides than usual.

My Moon Grazing Hare is getting ready for the Big Close~Up

The myth of the Moon gazing hare reflects ancient beliefs. Pagans believed that seeing a moon gazing hare would bring growth, re-birth, abundance, new beginnings and good fortune. The hare is known to be sacred to the goddess Eostre and eventually became known as the Easter bunny. In some countries, it is customary to eat hot cross buns around the time of Easter and Christmas; the cross on the bun is said to represent the four quarters of the moon. These buns were originally pagan offerings and were often hung from rafters to scare off evil that lurked in houses.

Wednesday, 16 March 2011

The Full Moon in March sees the earth re~awakening, the ground softens and warms and earthworms begin to leave their castings as they process the soil. Other creatures begin their own Spring rites: the cawing of Crows herald ~ the Crow Moon. The Icy crust of snow that has formed from the repeated thawings and freezings ~ the Crust Moon. And the time of tapping the maple trees for their sweet sap ~ the Sap Moon.

The Old English name, was the Lenten Moon and was considered as the last moon of winter. The name for this moon is taken from this period of time known as Lent. There are traditionally forty days in Lent, which marks a time of fasting from foods and abstinance from festivities along with other acts of penance. The three traditional practices to be acted upon with zeal during the period of Lent, are Prayer: representing justice towards God ~ Fasting: representing justice towards the self. Almsgiving: representing justice towards those less fortunate.In modern times, the quitting of a vice, is seen as something that will bring them closer to God, and the time or money that it would have consumed, would be donated to a charitable purpose instead.